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Lt. Col. Gavin Tade Keynote Speaker for Patriot’s Day Ceremony

Contact: Jeff MurphyWARRENSBURG, MO (Aug. 29, 2014) – The University of Central Missouri invites members of surrounding communities and Whiteman Air Force Base to attend the 2014 Patriot’s Day 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the UCM quadrangle.

Lt. Col. Gavin D. Tade

The ceremony is in remembrance of individuals who lost their lives in terrorist attacks on U.S. soil Sept. 11, 2001, and will feature special remarks by Lt. Col. Gavin D. Tade, commander of the 73rd Aerial Port Squadron at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas. Other activities include welcome remarks by UCM President Charles Ambrose; singing of the national anthem by UCM freshman Carina White; rifle tribute presentation featuring the Lee’s Summit High School Armed Exhibition Drill Team led by Col. Rick Milligan (Ret. Air Force), senior aerospace science instructor; and the firing of a cannon and return of flags to half-mast by the UCM Army ROTC battalion. The ceremonial bell ringing also will be conducted by Scott Ammon, UCM assistant professor of safety sciences, with Warrensburg, Johnson County and Whiteman Air Force Base firefighters. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Hendricks Hall.

In addition to the ceremony at the quadrangle, the Kansas City Mobile Vet Unit will be on campus all day outside of the Military and Veterans Success Center near the circular campus mall walkway. The Mobile Vet Centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs provide readjustment counseling and information resources to veterans across the country. Like community-based Vet Centers, Mobile Vet Centers focus on services that help veterans make the difficult transition between military and civilian life.

As guest speaker, Tade is making a return visit to his alma mater. He graduated from UCM in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation technology, and in October 2013 was awarded the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award, the top honor presented by the UCM Alumni Association. Following graduation, he began his career with the Iowa Air National Guard. After completing the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science, he began pilot training in Texas at Reese Air Force Base where he earned his wings. As a commanding officer, Tade has protected the United States during multiple deployments in countries such as Iraq, Kuwait and Turkey.

Tade has acquired prestigious awards and decorations for his military service. He has received the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal and the Reserve Medal. He has spent many years as an instructor on different aircraft platforms, including the F-16. He became a test pilot for NASA in 2010.

To learn more about the Patriot's Day event, contact Jeff Huffman or Delilah Nichols in Military and Veteran Services. Email jhuffman@ucmo.edu or nichols@ucmo.edu or call 660-543-8977.

Although limited spaces are available, visitors parking is located at South and Maguire streets on the north side of the Administration Building and at Clark and Holden streets on the south side of the Elliott Student Union. Parking also is available at the Multipurpose Building Lot 33, Washington and King streets, west of Audrey J. Walton Stadium.